Derry 4-18 Down 2-4

Down were heavily defeated by Derry in Ballinascreen last Wednesday night and so failed to reach the U-21 Ulster Hurling final. Where not much could be done against one of the best crops of Antrim youngsters the previous week the feeling in Down was that they should at least be able to match Derry.

After 5 minutes Derry were 5 points ahead and dominating all sectors of the field. After 10 minutes Down were lucky to be only ten points behind, Derry having shot numerous wides. In contrast Down shot therir first wide after 13 minutes. After 19 minutes a Stephen Keith free was Down’s opening score. It was quickly followed by a Michael O Prey goal. Down had finally put up a challenge.

 

Derry responded to the challenge with a few more points and but for an excellent series of saves from Down’s man of the match Declan Ennis in the Down goals the halftime scoreline of Derry 0-15 Down 1-2 could have been much worse.

Down opened the second half with 2 points before a torential downpour helped Down keep Derry scoreless for nearly 10 minutes However, when the clouds rolled back Derry hit 4-3 without reply. In the dying minutes an Eoin McGuiness goal couldn’t even take the bad look off the scoreboard for Down. With a winning margin of 20 points Derry progress to meet Antrim in the Ulster Final.